Bradyen's Actual Age

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Bradleigh Nicolynn Dowdney

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Monday, March 14, 2011

Yeah, we know...

We aren't very good at keeping this thing up to date anymore, mainly because we're so busy trying to keep up with Brayden!

In the past month this little man has decided he wants to walk, so he is up and around and getting into everything he can get into!  Hopefully in some succeeding posts I'll figure out how to post video's 'cuz this little guy is blowing and going.

Since our last post we have been getting acclimated to Kelli going back to work part-time.  This was an adjustment at first, but many THANKS go out to my mom, "Nana," for helping to watch Brayden for 2 days of the week, and we have Christy from Wyldlife babysit for the other day Kel is at work.  We are also looking into some programs that could allow Brayden to get some "teaching" during the day, even prior to going to preschool.  Given his low birth rate and prematurity the State allows for him to qualify for educational access as early as 3 years old, so we are trying to get on the ball before that time so he, and we, can be ready when that time comes.  We also feel that he is a little behind the ball when it comes to social skills with other kids as the only time he is really around other kids is at Church, when he is in the nursery.  So, we're exploring a few options to see how we can help develop those skills necessary to transition to a school setting as he gets older. 

On a side note, I had to travel to Chicago for a class at work, and while I was there Kelli was able to come up for an extended weekend that we used as our Anniversary Trip since we couldn't get away in January.  This past January we celebrated 10 years of marriage and delayed our "trip" to February where we had a really good time together in Chicago.  We were able to see the Blue Man Group and Les Miserables as "shows" while we there.  We explored the Shedd Aquarium and Millennium Park as some local attractions, and we even made it out for dinner and a movie the first night Kel was in town to allow us a little date before we got into the meat of the weekend.  We also ventured out to Giordano's with a co-worker of mine to enjoy some deep dish pizza famous in Chicago, and we met a fraternity brother of mine to enjoy Piece, another pizza place, and Hot Chocolate which is a really swanky restaurant and hot chocolate bar...that's right...they serve many "flavors" of hot chocolate - really neat place.  Needless to say, we were both pretty exhausted from our Chicago trip, but we had a blast and got to do a bunch of fun things.

This is my last semester in graduate school, and it couldn't get here sooner!!  I'm ready to be through with this experience, as it's been good, but very taxing on my free time.  Counting down the days until May when I can finally say I'm a "Master" of something.   :)

Anywho, that's all I can come up with for now, but hopefully we'll have more extensive updates in the NEAR future.

Thanks for stopping by,
DD


Mr. Man got a swing for Christmas and we have just recently been able to get outside and enjoy it.  Thanks to Papa and Mimi for helping us get it up in the tree, as Brayden loves to get outside whenever he can and swing!!


Kel and I ventured out to Carter's to get Brayden some 18 month clothes as he's right in the middle of 12 month and 18 month clothes, but we don't have enough 18 month clothes.  So, while we were there they had this table that let Brayden play with Lego's and he LOVED IT!!!  You can see the sheer joy on his face as he get to play with the Lego's.  We sure do love our sweet and smiley little boy.